Apparatus for pneumatic can-drying



F. G. FOSS.

APPARATUS FOR PNEUMATIC CAN DRYING.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 3, 19l9. Patented Dec. 7, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

F. a; Foss. I APPARATUS FOR PNEUMATIC CAN DRYING.-

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 3, I919.

Patented Dec. 7, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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F. G. FOSS. APPARATUS FOR PNEUMATIC CAN DRYING.

' APPUCATION FILED MAR. a, 1919. 1,361,039, Patented Dec. 7, 1920. I I 4 SHEETS-SHEET a.

F. G FOSS. APPARATUS FOR PNEUMATIC CAN DRYING.

APPLICATION FILED[MAR.3,1919. 1,361,039, I Patented Dec. 7, 1920. r I 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED. PATENT. OFFICE,

ERED e. Eoss, 0F

NEWARK; NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR To AMERICAN CAN COMPANY; on NEW YORK, N. it, A CORPORATION er nit-iv JERSEY.v

AP ARATUS 'ron PNEUMATIC CAN-DRYING.

TouZZ whom it may 0 m: i

Be lt'known that I, FRED G. Foss, a c1tizenof the United States, residing in N ewark, 1n the county of Essex andState of- New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for Pneumatic Can-Drying, of which the' following is a specification.

This invention relates in general to driers for cans and other articles for which the invention may be usable, and has for its prin' cipal object the provision of a simple, rapid, automatic drier which will be usable for the drying of cans at high speed after they have been sterilizedand cleaned,'as for example by steaming or hot water.

5; further object of the'invention is the provision of an apparatus of this kind of strong and durable character Without delicate parts that will require frequent repair or replacement and which will not, require specially trained and skilled attendants.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following de scription when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof.

Fig. a side elevation of the same.

F 3 is a top plan view thereof. i v

Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial view similar to Fig. 1 and showing the-relative position of parts of the it paratus at the completion of the dr in 0 eration;

l 1g. 5 is a section taken substantially on the line 55 of Fig.4, and d 1 l ig. 6'is apartial section or Fig.1 taken at the plane indicated inFig. 1. 7

- For'the purpose ofillustrating my invention,'I haveshown in the drawing an apparatus embodying it which will be presently described. It} might, however, be well to mention before enteringnpon a detailed description of this apparatus, to explain the general operation of this illustrative niachine. H V c V In it cans are delivered automatically and continuously froina suitable chute to a rotating turret or wheel provided with a number {if holders or can supports whichreceivethe cans as they'are delivered into Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed March 3, 919. Serial No. 230,495.

'surfaceof thecan.

is a vertical section taken through an apparatus embodying my present invention Manama. *7, 1920.

the a aratus. Adjacent these holders is E mounted a second rotating turret upon which are provided number of'plungers over which in the movement of the apparatus the holderscarry the cans at aidesired rate of speed.- Air 18 forced through or drawn .into these piu'ngers which are of a site only. slightly smaller than the can body, softhat this air. forcedinto or withdrawn from the can is compelled to pass "through a restricted passage located between the outer face'of theplunger and the inner This passagewayis preferably sufficiently small to cause the air to pass at suflicient velocity to dry the can during the movement 'of'theplunger Into 1t, although from certain aspects of the invention this of course is'not necessary because the can body must be again moved off the plunger and during this operationif desired some of the drying might be done. The drylng, 1n any event, 11s progressive and s preferably confined-to the inward movement of the plunger. It

Twill however be readily apparent thatthe apparatus may be-changed in a considerable number .of wayswithout departing from the invention. i j i l v Describing now the apparatus in detail, reference character 11 indicates a yoke havinga shaft bearing .12cat its upper endand a shaftbearing 13 therebeneath, connected by cross members 14 with a companion yoke 15, also, having bearings 16 and 17 in alineim'entwith-bearings 12 and 13. A. shaft 18 is provided to extend through the bearings 12 and 16, and this shaft carrles upon it a turretor Wheel 19 which moves with the shaft. The outer circumferential edge of i this turret isjprovidedwith gear teeth 21 meshing :Wltll pinion 22 upon a shaft23 in bearings 13 and 17. The'pinion 221s thenthrough pinion 22. imparts motion to theturret or jwheel 19. Upon the shaft 18 a sleeve 31 is nounted and extends through the bearing 12 and thissleeve is held against rotation by a spline" or key 32. A cam v connectedwith a beveled gear 24 upon this shaft 23 which beveled gear in turn meshes member 33 is fixed upon the'slceve '31 and has'a cam slot 34 for controlling the movement of a. plurality of canholders or supports Each of these can holders is mounted upon a pair of rods 36 fixed at one end at 37 in the turret or wheel 19 and extending out in parallelism with the axis of the wheel, The can holders are all substantial duplicates of each other and a detailed} description of one of'them will be sufiicient forhn understanding of the others.

" Referring more particularly to Figs. 4

and 5,it will be noted that each can holder consists of a semi-cylindrical body 41 haying an end web 42 at its outer end and hav 'inginternal ribs 43 and. 44 adapted to engage'the outer, surface ofthe canbody and near'the ends thereof. At the inner end each holder 41 is provided with a rib 45.

The semiscylindrical body' ll iswprovided with a pair .ofsleeves l6. formed integrally with the body and lozated benfeath it, through which are disposed the two rods .36

extending out from the wheel 19. Between these sleeves is a boss 47 and a roller .48 is supported from thisboss by a screw pin 49 extending through the roller and into a suitable threaded iaperturein the boss. The roller 48 moves in the cam groove 34' and causes the can holder to moveout and in dent with the axis of curvature of the cylindrical part of the holder. Each of these sleeves carries at its outer end a plunger or body 52 of the shape of the can to be placed 1n the holder having a size appropriate to cause it to enter into the can andleave a slight clearance or space between its outer surface and the inner surface of the can" body. j This clearan'cemay be as little as a few one-thousandths of an inch; During the operation or the devicethe cans are deposited in the holders and each holder is then moved toward the wheel bringing the plunger 52 into the can, the movement con-Y tinuing until the free end of the plunger approaches close to thegbottom of the can.

7 The space between the plunger and'the can body wall is'utilized as an air passage and means are provided to cause air movement through this passage to effect the drying action. This air movement may be either by suction" ofair from the outside through the can and into. the passageway 53 within the hollow shaft 51 or it maybeby means of airforcedthrough the opening 53 in thehollow shaft 51 and thenoutvfr'om the passage between the plunger and can. The air movement is produced by suitable suction or pressure exerted through a p pe and plunger arrangement.

5 lopening at 55 intoan arcuate chamber 56 (Fig. 1) provided cani member'33;

The chamber 56 7 throughout its length, and in the wheel are provided pockets 58, one for each holder Each of these in the body the is open at one side at57.

pockets is indicated by a pipe 59 with the coupling 61 connected tothe hollow shaft 51 or the plunger. v j 1 p I It is thus seen that throughout the movement during which the opening of'the pocket 58 is in communication with the chamber 56 therewill be created an airinr pelling force either. into or out of thecan that as will be later'described more in detail, producesthe actual drying.

Referring now to F'g; 2,, it will. be noted N that a suitable feed is provided at one point in the travel of'the, apparatusfor automatically delivering cans tothe'holder. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown on the drawing, .the feeding station is located at the top of the apparatus so that the cans. enter by gravity. into the" pockets, the spacing of tha -holders; being appropriate to cause thecans toentera'eca' rately :into the holders. Immediately upon the entrance of the cans into the pockets the holderis caused to approach the plun- "ger and by the time'the plunger has entered a. short way into thecan the .air action is started by the establishment of c0minuiii-' catioubetwecn the hollow shaft and tl'ie air 7 chamber or chest in the cam member; The. =a1r application is thus started before the 1 plunger has moved an appreciable distance into the can, and rapidly mov'ingairis. thus caused to pass between the portion of the can wall extending aboutthe plunger-and thle'plun'ger itself': The action o'fthis air is V V eiiected very rapidly, drying this -partor the can wall, andthe'forwardmovement of the plunger progressively dries jthewall'asit nears the bottom. The outer edges ,71 of tially entirely upon the plunger, as shown the' plunger are preferably sharp so that the current ofv a r when the can is substan in Fig.4, will bedirected into'the seam at T V the bottom and dry this portion also. W 1

It has been j found in practice thati very rapid drying may be accomplished such an apparatus and that/the rate of this drying depends'upon thesizeof the space about the plunger. The'en'd web 4 2 of the holder acts .to hold the can against outwar'dfmove 'f ment where the air is forced inthroughthe shaft 51, and projections formed by pins 72 are provided inthe end of theplungerto,

hold the cans against tooclose" contact with stripper; forthe can in withdrawing the plunger, and this rib/maybe formed as 12'5" the outer face ofthe plungerwhen suction I is applied to draw the airin the opposite direction. The rib 4L5 acts as an eflicient shown to approach in close proximity to the outer face of the plunger in order'that un- The action of the apparatus is toconcenadvance the eii'ective area of the can sur face as the flow of air dries preceding por-' tions. By changing the locality, on the can-surface,- '-of the restriction of the air current the most rapid and violent portion of the'current consists of fresh and dry air,

' can-surface.

- and the moisture is progressively encountered by dry air as distinguished from moisture 'the'l1ke, thecombination of acan holder,

laden. air which has already acted on a moist .ilized and washerl before being introduced into the can,-'and in any event traveling. at

relatively high velocity it materially helps toward the sterilization: and cleaning oflthe on portions of the can after they are dried. '7 i can by its action. up

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages Will'be understood from the foregoing description, and j it will be apparent that various changes may .be made in the form, construction and ar rangement of the parts Without departing); from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I do not claim herein theprocess disclosed, thesame being-the subject of my companion application Serial No. 280,496, filed-March 3, 1919.

.' I claim:

' 1, In a drying apparatus for cans and the like, the combination of a holder for the can, and means ncluding a plunger which nearly occupies the space Within the. can for progressively drying the body of the can from one end to the other. i a

2. In a drying apparatus for cansand the like, the combination of a holder for the can, means progressively drying the body of the can from one end to the other, and means entering into the-can and restricting an air flow therethrough as described and progressively drying the can upon movement lengthwise thereof.

3. In a drying apparatus for cans and the like, the combination of a holder for the can and means including a plunger which nearly occupies, the space Within the can for progressively drying the can upon movement lengthwise thereof.

4:. In a drying apparatus for cans and the i like, the combination of a holder for the rent.

Ifdesiredthe air may be stercan,tand means entering into the can and progress vely drying the'same by localized drying action over a shifting restricted area.

- .can surface to be dried, and means for-varying said area during the action of said our- 6. In an apparatus for drying cans and he can to be dried, means for applying a localized moving current of air about a rea current of air to successiveareas to procssively dry said can. '12 In anapparatus for drymgcansand 5. In a drying apparatusfor cans and the the like, the combination. of a holder for means for forming a restricted air passage formed atone side by the area of the cans air the like, the combination of a holder for a can and a body movable within the can and leaving a restricted space between itself and the inner face of the can, and means for moving air through said space, and can moving means for inverting the can during said moving of the am 9. In an apparatus for drying cans and the like, the combination of aholder for a can and a body movable Within the can and leaving a restricted space between itself and the inner. face of the cany and means for moving air through said space, said body being movable progressively into the can to progressively drythe'can' With said moving air. a v 1 ;10.:'In1 an apparatus for drying cans and the like, the combination, of a holder and a suction member for. drawing .air into the canand means for confining the incoming air to a restricted Wet or damp areaof said can. I

"11. In'an apparatus for drying cans and the l1ke,; the vcombination of moving 7 conveyer for conveyingcans While in theapparatus, and means for'successively drying the cans by moving airwhile said cansare movmg with said conveyer. I

12. In an apparatus for dryingcans and the like, the combination of a holder, means for drying the cans by the movement of air in contact wit-lithe surface to be dried, and

means for restraining the can against move ment by the action of said air moving means. 13. In an apparatus for drying cans and .the like, the combination of a conveyer for moving cans "and the like in said apparatus, means for drying the cans by moving air currents, and means for automatically disthe cans to restrict the air currents, and pmeans automatically conveying the cans charging the cans when dry from said apparatu s. 7 V

14. In an apparatus for drying cans and the'like, the combination of a conveyor for moving cans and the like in said apparatus, means for drying the cans by moving air currents, means for occupying space Within into drying position.

I 15. In an apparatus for drying cans and thelike, thecombination of a conveyer for moving cans while in said apparatus, air drying means acting upon the canimoving. Withsaid conveyer, and'means for rendering ,said air drying means inoperative during a portion of othe omovement of the cam and while said drying means are in operative relation therewith... 7 I p 16,-.Inan apparatus for drying cans and the like, the combination of a holder and drying 'plungers movable into the can, means for carrying'the holder and can sidewise,

and means for automatically positioningthe plunger. 1

' While in said holder over said drying plungerand as the drying progresses. V

18. In an apparatus forfdrying cans and the like, the combination of a holder and drying plunger insertibleinto a can in the holder, and means for-movingthe can on said plunger during said drying operation.

19. In an apparatus fordrying cans and.

the like,the combination of-a holder, a plunger insertible into a can in the'holder and of slightly less size than'the can, and a'conduit for taking air into or away from: said plunger to cause-the current of air to pass between the plunger and-the surface oithe can being dried, to dry said surface, and

means for conveying the plunger and can during said operation.

' 20., In an apparatus for drying cans and the like, the combination of a holder, means.

insertible into the can in the holder and movable therein to'progressively-dry the can, a

conduit connecting with said means for admitting air under pressure to produce said current of air, .and means for cuttingjoif lsaid air until the said insertible means enters the can.

' 21. In an apparatus'for drying cansand insertible into the can in the .holder and movable therein to progressively dry thecan,

tion.

for introducing and movingair in a can in 22. In an apparatus for dryingcans and the like, the combination of a holder, means,

the like, the combination of a holder, means and a conduit for Withdrawing air by sucthe holder drying, and means for reduc-g ing the interior space within the can during said' drying operation and? progressively while said air is being introduced.

23. In a dryingapparatus. for cans-and thelike, the combination of: a plunger arranged to nearly fill .-the space Within the 7 can, a can holder for'causing thegplunger to progressively-occupy said space, means for causing a flow of air through-saidlspace,

and means for causing the flowof airto begin as the plunger begins to. occupysaid space.

' '24. The combination are; can i carrier,

plungers thereon adapted "to restrict the space Withinthe cans 550M116 drying action of air currents,can holderslmovable end on the carr1er,'to cause saidaction of the plungers, means-itor actuatingsald hold- Wise,

ers topapply and remove cans to and from said plungers, means for causing said air currents, means for automatically placingr.

the cans in communicationwitli and cutting them oil from saidair currents during the movement of the carrier,

7 and means for actuatuig'jthe carrier;

In adrying apparatus for cans and the hke'the' combination of abody arranged I to produce a- 'narrow annular air space around the can, means for causing said body to fill such space progressively along the surface o'i thc can, and-means for causing aiflow of air through and outfof said space,

'to rapidly remove moisture from the can D. F. MENNIS, 7 GEOR E W. Wnunnwnron'r.

surface.

Signed'in the vpresence'oftwo subscribing Witnesses. r V FRED G. FQSS.

Witnesses V Y 

